Radio 4 has revealed an exciting lineup of six topical comedy specials that will air in its popular Friday Night Comedy slot this summer. These programs promise to bring listeners a mix of established talent and rising stars, offering fresh perspectives on current events through satirical comedy.
The series will kick off with Rachel Parris, known for her work on “Late Night Mash,” hosting a spoof interview show called “The Newsmakers.” Parris will engage with individuals at the heart of the week’s stories, featuring guests such as Bilal Zafar, Emily Lloyd-Saini, Sam Pamphilon, and popular social media stars Rosie Holt MP and Michael Spicer.
Next in line is “What Are You Talking About?” hosted by Rhys James, a familiar face from “Mock The Week” and “The Now Show.” This program will delve into the major issues of the week, aiming to provide perfect solutions. Rhys will be joined by emerging comedy talents, including Alasdair Beckett-King and Celya AB, as they explore the news, questioning the reasons behind it.
The irreverent Dom Joly, best known for “Trigger Happy TV,” brings his mischievous style to “Dom Joly Breaks the News.” In this surreally humorous take on current affairs, Joly blends prank calls, interviews, and features to unravel the biggest stories of the week. Through his unique approach, Joly seeks to offer a different perspective on the news.
“The United Nations of News,” produced by BBC Scotland, will be hosted by Ria Lina. Lina, along with a diverse team of comedians from around the world, including Daliso Chaponda, Ignacio Lopez, and Heidi Regan, will discuss the UK’s significant stories while sharing insights from their respective countries. This program aims to showcase the universal nature of comedy and how it relates to current events.
Catherine Bohart, a regular on “8 Out of 10 Cats,” will present “TL;DR” (Too Long; Didn’t Read), where she and her team will delve deep into one major news story of the week. In a humorous and concise manner, Bohart will provide an entertaining summary of the story and the events leading up to it.
“The Naked Week,” created by Jon Holmes from “The Skewer,” introduces a fresh approach to news coverage. Hosted by Andrew Hunter Murray, known for his work on “No Such Thing As a Fish” and as a QI Elf, the program will strip away the superficial aspects of news presentation. With a live audience, the show will not only mock the big stories but also critique the way news is packaged and delivered.
Julia McKenzie, Radio 4 Commissioning Editor for Comedy, expressed pride in the existing Friday Night Comedy lineup and looks forward to adding these six new one-off programs. She believes the shows will offer fresh perspectives from some of the best satirists, providing listeners with an enjoyable comedic take on the week’s news.
The specials will air throughout the summer in the Friday Night Comedy slot, following series such as “Dead Ringers” and “The News Quiz.” They will also be available on BBC Sounds and RSS for on-demand listening after their initial broadcast. Comedy enthusiasts and fans of topical humour can anticipate a hilarious and engaging lineup that blends wit, satire, and a unique take on current affairs.

